Speed and power bat

ABSTRACT

A baseball training apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a handle portion, a cylindrical portion extending from the handle portion, an adjustable weight element disposed inside of the cylindrical portion, and means enabling the adjustment of the adjustable weight element.  
     The exterior surface of the training apparatus being continuous like that of a normal bat allows the training device to be used while hitting a ball. Therefore, the user can simultaneously develop bat speed and power, while maintaining proper hand eye coordination necessary to hit a moving ball.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 (e) of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/185,598 filed Feb. 28, 2000, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to athletic training devices and more particularly to a training bat constructed to help a user develop bat speed and power.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Baseball training devices come in many sizes and shapes and focus on many different aspects of the game. For example, a person wishing to improve his or her skill level at baseball can take advantage of batting cages, training videos, weighted bats, ball return systems and the like. Included in these training devices is a class of training devices proposed to help the user develop bat speed and power by focusing on the appropriate follow through while swinging. These training devices such as an exterior mounted weighted doughnut, while effective, do not afford the user the opportunity, if desired, to use the training device in conjunction with a ball. Therefore, a training device which improves the user's bat speed, power and follow through and which also can be used while hitting a ball, if desired, is needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a baseball training apparatus is disclosed. The baseball training apparatus includes an elongated bat with a handle portion, an adjustable weight element disposed inside of the cylindrical portion, and a means enabling the adjustment of the adjustable weight element. The adjustable weight element may be disposed inside the cylindrical portion or inside the handle portion or within both portions.

[0005] The distinct advantage of this training apparatus is that it can help to improve not only bat speed, power and follow through, it can simultaneously help the user maintain their hitting eye. For instance, with other weighted training devices, such as doughnuts, the continuity of the exterior hitting surface of the bat is altered such that the user cannot hit a ball while using the device. The present invention provides the user with all of the advantages of other weighted training devices, but does not alter the exterior hitting surface of the bat. Therefore, a user can step into a batting cage or batter's box and swing the training device against live pitching.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]FIG. 1(a) is a cross-sectional view in part of the baseball training device in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

[0007]FIG. 1(b) is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment; and

[0008]FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram illustrating the first embodiment of the baseball training device in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Referring initially to FIG. 1(a), a baseball training apparatus 10 is provided as an elongated bat, preferably formed of metal, such as aluminum, which includes a cylindrical portion 12 at one end, and a handle portion 14 at the other bat end threadably or otherwise engaged to the cylindrical portion 12 at joint 15.

[0010] The cylindrical portion 12 includes a hollow inner region 16, and an endcap 18 threadably or otherwise engaged onto the free end of the cylindrical portion 12 so as to be removable. In the preferred embodiment, the cylindrical portion 12 further includes a sealable first hole 20 extending from the exterior surface of the cylindrical portion into the hollow inner region 16. A plug 22 engages the hole 20 to seal it. When the plug 22 is disposed within the hole 20, the outer surface of the plug 22 is substantially flush with the exterior surface of the cylindrical portion 12.

[0011] A shifting adjustable weight element 24 formed of a plurality of small pellets is contained in the inner region 16 of the cylindrical portion 12. The first hole 20 can be used for adjusting the shifting adjustable weight element 24 present in the inner region 16 of the cylindrical portion 12. During the setup of the training device 10, the training device 10 is swung to determine if the weight of the training device is too light or too heavy to fit the needs of a particular user. If the weight of the training device 10 is too light or too heavy, the adjustable weight element 24 can be increased or decreased by adding or removing a portion of the adjustable weight element 24. This can be accomplished in several different ways. In the preferred embodiment, shown in FIG. 1(a), the adjustable weight element 24 can be adjusted by removing the plug 22 in the first hole 20 to add or remove a portion of the adjustable weight element 24. Alternatively, the end cap 18 can be threadably removed and the pellets can be added or removed to adjust the adjustable weight element 24. Finally, the adjustable weight element 24 can also be adjusted by removing the handle portion 14 which is engaged to the cylindrical portion at joint 15, thereby exposing inner region 16.

[0012] This weight adjusting process can be duplicated in an alternative embodiment, shown in FIG. 1(b), wherein a handle portion 26 includes a hollow inner chamber 28, a threadable front cap 30 and a second sealable hole with a plug 34. Either front cap 30 or second hole 32 can be utilized to access the adjustable weight element 24 disposed in the inner region 28 of the handle portion 26 or in the inner region 16 the cylindrical portion 12.

[0013] The adjustable weight element 24 is shown in FIGS. 1(a), 1(b) and 2 as round pellets. However, sand, water, gel or any other small movable substance may also be used as the adjustable weight element 24 in the baseball training device 10.

[0014] Operation of the baseball training device 10 is illustrated in FIG. 2. During operation of the baseball or training device 10, the training device 10 is swung. As the training device 10 is swung, the adjustable weight element 24 moves towards the end of the training device 10 by centrifugal force. The movement of the adjustable weight element 24 towards the end of the training device 10 due to centrifugal force assists the user in developing bat speed, power and an appropriate follow through while swinging the training device 10. The training device 10 can be used with or without the use of a ball and can be used in a batting practice setting or in a batting cage.

[0015] Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, one skilled in the art will recognize that changes will be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A baseball training apparatus for use with or without a ball, comprising: an elongated bat with a handle portion at one end; a cylindrical portion at the other bat end extending from the handle portion; the elongated bat having a hollow interior; an adjustable weight element disposed within the elongated bat hollow interior; and means for enabling the adjustment of the adjustable weight element.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the means enabling adjustment of the adjustable weight element further includes a sealable hole disposed in the cylindrical portion and communicating with the hollow interior to allow for the increase or decrease of the adjustable weight element, and a plug sealing the hole, the plug's outer surface being substantially flush with the exterior surface of the cylindrical portion to enable the training aid to effectively strike a ball.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the cylindrical portion further includes a removable end cap mounted on the end of the cylindrical portion opposite the handle portion for enabling adjustment of the adjustable weight element.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the handle portion is removably engaged to the cylindrical portion at a joint for enabling adjustment of the adjustable weight element.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the handle portion includes a hollow chamber communicating with the hollow interior of the cylindrical portion and, the adjustable weight element is disposed inside the handle portion hollow chamber.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the means enabling adjustment of the adjustable weight element further includes a sealable hole disposed in the handle portion to allow for the increase or decrease of the adjustable weight element, and a second plug sealing the hole in the handle portion.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the handle portion further includes a removable front cap mounted on the end of the handle portion opposite the cylindrical portion for enabling adjustment of the adjustable weight element. 